Arab, Sudanese in Türkiye (Turkey)

Introduction / History

Sudanese Arabs originated in the Khartoum region of Sudan many centuries ago. Today, they live primarily in northern and central Sudan and in Egypt. A few groups are also scattered in Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Libya, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.
The first "pure" Arabs were called "Bedouins." They were tribal nomads from Saudi Arabia, famous for their love of poetry and war. The Sudanese are a tribe who branched off the Bedouins. They are a heterogeneous people with a mixture of diverse blood and cultures.
Since 1983, conflict between the predominately north Arab and southern animist and Christian regions of the Sudan has accounted for more than two million deaths. They allowed the southern regions to form a different nation, South Sudan, but the violence continues.
In this context, Sudanese Arabs have wished to migrate to peaceful lands. One such country is Turkey.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In the Arab culture, children are a family's greatest asset, providing both workers and security for the parents as they grow older. Although boys and girls may be raised together when they are young, they are treated differently. Mothers show great affection towards the boys, pampering them and responding to their every wish. Girls are shown some affection but are not pampered. The boys are taught by their fathers to obey and respect older males. Girls are taught the values of obedience to their future husbands. Teenagers are not permitted to have any contact with the opposite sex until after marriage.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sudanese Arabs are Muslims, as are most Arabs. Identification with the Islamic religion is one of the primary cultural characteristics of most Arabs. They are devoted to their faith, and this is evident in their daily life. While the men gather in the local mosque five times a day for prayer, women meet in homes and have their own religious services, conducted by female religious leaders. Only on certain occasions are the women permitted inside the mosques.
According to Islamic law, a man may have up to four wives. Rules concerning marriage and divorce are held in accordance with what is written in the Koran. Regulations regarding inheritance, taxation, wartime, submission to those in authority, and the roles of family are also addressed in the Muslim holy book.

What Are Their Needs?

Sudanese Arabs in Turkey sometimes suffer from the trauma of war. Evil men have killed, raped and destroyed, and the psychological trauma lingers. They must adapt to a different language and culture in Turkey.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to call out prayer teams to go and break up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will complete his work among Sudanese Arab Christian believers through discipleship.
Pray for the Sudanese Arabs in Turkey to have the spiritual hunger it takes to seek and find Christ no matter what the cost.

Text Source:   Joshua Project